Bipolar 1 vs. Bipolar 2 (Q&A)

Since a lot of people get frustrated from time to time, there is that everlasting question if depression is indeed a illness. The answer is: yes. The clinical one, that is. It has been said that about one out of 8 Usa residents will possibly become clinically depressed. A few experience it once in a lifetime, while others can have multiple episodes.

This kind of is a fact: when a person gets depressed the first time, there is a 55 percent chance that this individual will fall to the same predicament again. And come the second time, you will find the threat that this individual will go to a third manic depression episode.

Manic depression is a genuine illness as it involves the mental, psychological and even physical function of the person. It is not just a transitive sad feeling that will go away when one wills it to. There are symptoms and signs as well as corresponding treatment. If not managed nicely and immediately, it may increase to worse conditions. Similar to other illness, major depression in addition has variations.

There are 3 types of depressive disorders: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and dysthymic disorder.

Major depression is a culmination of all the symptoms and signs that get involved with one’s capability to work normally. It could happen once, but continious episodes are possible.

Its less severe friend is dysthymia which is characterized by the same symptoms of major depression, only they don’t totally interfere with one’s activities. A person that has dysthymic disorder may suffer major depressive disorder sometime during his lifetime.

Bipolar disorder is also a kind of depression that involves drastic mood changes, from being very high about a minute to severely depressed another minute. The mania cycle could make the individual hyper and overenthusiastic but it transforms as soon as the frustrated cycle hits. The stressed out cycle has all the symptoms of depression.

Since depression is an illness, there are symptoms. Again, they are the next:

1. Persistent “empty” feeling

2. Unbelievable hopelessness

3. Feeling guilty and worthless most the time

4. Lack or loss of interests in activities that used to bring joy to the individual and this includes sex.

5. Visible fatigue

6. Has a difficult time {making|taking decisions

7. Development of sleeping problems

8. Loss of appetite and drastic weight change or reduction

9. Suicidal attempts and thoughts.

10. Pronounced irritability

11. Physical aches and discomfort which may have no physiological basis

Fortunately at the end of this dark tunnel called depression, there is hope. Treatment is gotten in 3 types: psychiatric therapy, antidepressant medicine and the blend of the two. At this time there are also times when electroconvulsive remedy (ECT) and light remedy are employed.